Wednesday, 9 October 2013

CHABANA - tea flowers

SOME DIARY DATESSpring continues to be busy!A Sogetsu ikebana exhibition at the Sherbrooke Arts Society, 62 Monbulk Road, Belgrave from 12th -16th October, 2013 as part of the Spring Art Show. Ph: 9754 4264An exhibition of botanical art in dialogue with Sogetsu ikebana from 4 October until 4 November 2103, upstairs at 51 McKillop Street, Geelong, 10am - 4pm daily.Contact: 0401 160 430 www.artwintergarden.com.auAt the general meeting on Tuesday October 8th there was an array of fresh Spring arrangements. The art of Chabana, or arranging flowers to harmonize with the tea ceremony, was explored. Some suggestions were :-that the flowers selected should not be strongly scented;-that the container should not be unduly imposing - a simple container is preferable;-that according to traditional there are two elements, the first set towards the guest and the second towards the tea master or host;-that arranging the material is kept to a minimum: ideally the flowers are 'arranged' while being collected and then simply placed into the container;- that it is not appropriate to use a kenzan although a wide-mouthed container may need a simple cross-strut to help maintain a pleasing position.

Three arrangements by Thea Sartori, Sogetsu teacher, who led the workshop.

A beautiful, glowing lacquer ware container based on a design many centuries old.

A simple bamboo container with roadside grass, including an unopened bud (hidden from view), as a symbol of hope and opportunity

An arrangment with the Australian native, Dryandra, some seed capsules and plantain grass Eiko Roskam and Kyoko Kamakura provided tea and Japanese delicacies.